Two weeks ago, I was on the scene of a puppy mill raid in Henry County. I saw hundreds of animals living in unspeakable conditions. There were dogs in crates stacked two and three high; in most cases, the animals were standing almost knee deep in a mixture of their own feces and urine. There were cats in crates with litter boxes filled to the brim in waste. They had no water and little food.

My daughter Alison rues Thanksgiving 2002.
That was her year of the perfect turkey. Prior to that, her turkeys ranged from dry to just OK.

Then in 2002 she took a risk and brined her turkey, which turned out succulent and delicious. However, in 2003, even though she followed the same recipe, her turkey wasn’t perfect and that ruined her holiday meal.

Each year, the General Assembly’s work is split into two distinct areas: Its legislative session, which begins in January, and the interim, which starts in late spring and runs toward the end of the year.

Although the public’s attention is understandably more focused on the time when legislators are debating the budget and any laws that might be adopted, the later period is important as well, because this is when my colleagues and I get a chance to take a closer look at the issues facing the state.

The Trimble County Youth In Need Holiday Assistance Program has been able this season to provide well over 200 youth and more than 90 families with gifts and food for Christmas. This is a yearly service that is provided through the Trimble County Schools Family Resource Center and the Youth Services Center.